Dr. Jack VanDercreek, 88

March 11, 2013

Dr. Jack VanDercreek, 88, of Blackfoot passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot.
Jack was born June 6, 1924 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to A.J. VanDercreek and Rita Bradshaw VanDercreek. He grew up in Council Bluffs and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1941. Jack attended Kemper Military Academy and in 1942 was inducted into the Army Air Corps. He was a gunner on B-24 aircraft and participated in the largest air raid over Germany in World War II.
After WWII, Jack attended the University of Iowa and later was accepted into dental school at Creighton University School of Dentistry, graduating in 1950. He began his dental practice in Blackfoot and later built a professional building with his partner Dr. Jack Christ. Jack practiced dentistry over 50 years and significantly improved the dental health of countless patients.
Jack met and married Ann Louise Roberts of Pocatello. They had three children, Mary Jane “Mardy”, Kathy Ann and John Arthur. His wife and daughter Kathy were later killed in a tragic automobile accident.
In 1959 Jack married Selma Misczuk. They built a new home in Blackfoot and added a baby boy, Todd, to the family. The family loved skiing, horseback riding and were avid swimmers.
Jack was one of the “founding fathers” of the Blackfoot Municipal Golf course. He was a dedicated golfer and a great promoter of the game. He was a small game hunter, fisherman, and loved playing bridge with his family and friends. He had a pilot’s license and was active in the Elks and Kiwanis service organizations. He served as president of the Upper Snake River Dental Society and treasurer of the Idaho Dental Association.
He is survived by his wife, Selma of Blackfoot; daughter, Mary Jane Little of Pocatello; sons, John (Connie) VanDercreek of Great Lakes, Ill. and Todd VanDercreek of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren, Colin, Peter and Ross VanDercreek, Kelly (John) Barton and Samantha Ann VanDercreek; and great-granddaughter, Sophie Barton.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ann; daughter, Kathy Ann; son-in-law, Rod Little; and brother, Professor William VanDercreek.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2013 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Blackfoot. A rosary will be held at 5:30 followed by visitation 6 – 8 p.m. on
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. Interment will follow funeral services at the Grove City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donation of donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.